July Book Blowout

July 1 – 31, 2008

Well this one was a no-brainer…Mrs. S. is hosting the July Book Blowout which challenges readers to read vast quantities of books in the month of July. We are supposed to push ourselves, so I am shooting to read nine books (one more book than my typical eight average). Just to add to the fun, there will also be mini-challenges posted throughout the month, and an Amazon giveaway for those readers who sign up by July 14th. Below is a list of potential books for me to choose from throughout the month:

1. The Island of Eternal Love, by Daina Chaviano (DNF; unrated; read my thoughts)
2. The 19th Wife, by David Ebershoff (COMPLETED July 28. 2008; rated 3.5/5 ; read my review)
3. The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver (COMPLETED July 12, 2008; rated 5/5; read my review)
4. People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks (COMPLETED July 4, 2008; rated 5/5; read my review)
5. Hotel Du Lac, by Anita Brookner (COMPLETED July 22, 2008; rated 4.5/5; read my review)
6. The White Mary, by Kira Salak (COMPLETED July 16, 2008; rated 4/5; read my review)
7. Leftovers, by Laura Weiss (COMPLETED July 31, 2008; rated 3/5; read my review)
8. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (COMPLETED July 31, 2008; rated 5/5; read my review)

JULY BOOK BLOWOUT – WRAP UP

July is through – and so is the July Book Blowout. I didn’t exactly reach my goal of 9 books, but I made a valiant effort despite being out of town for five days in this month! Mrs. S has asked us to complete her survey regarding the challenge. Here are my answers:

1. How many books did you challenge yourself to read? 9
2. How many books did you actually read? 7.5
3. Did taking part in the challenge get you to read more? Um, no. I read what I would have read regardless of the challenge!
4. Did you take part in the mini-challenges? I did 1 out of 2 of the mini-challenges.
5. Would you like to take part in another book blowout? Sure!
6. What was your favorite book read during the challenge? I had three which tied for my favorite: The People of the Book, The Poisonwood Bible, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
7. Did you discover a new author? I discovered 7 new authors! Except for Geraldine Brooks, they were all new to me.
8. Where was the most unusual place you found yourself reading? I don’t know if it was unusual, but it was the most interesting: The Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, Oregon.
9. If you won the Amazon voucher, what would you spend it on? Well I have over 500 books on my wish list…so it would be one of those!

Thank you to Mrs. S. for hosting this fun challenge!